What an incredible gig. I've seen DT nine times now, and that's definitely in my top three shows. The set list was just incredible, I basically ejaculated when they started playing 6:00, and the Spirit Carries On was an unexpected and wonderful surprise, I don't love that song too much on Scenes, but the version from LSFNY is one of my favourite live DT performances, I watch it regularly and the guitar solo is hands down my favourite solo by any band, ever. It's not quite the same without Teresa Thomason but it was really special nontheless, I get a lot of support from it when grieving for my mother and couldn't help but wonder how Jordan has the strength and guts to play something so emotional on stage so soon after his own mother died. So likely the thoughts running through my head at that point were different to most of the rest of the audience's, but it was a real high point for sure.
The sound was great from where I was (about ten rows back, on the very left hand side of the stalls), I usually stand for DT gigs so seating was a bit of a weird experience. On one hand it was really nice to be able to just chill out in your own space and not have to deal with the jostling around you get down at the front, and from a personal perspective it was a lot better for my health (I suffer from chronic pelvic pain syndrome, get severe pain when I'm dehydrated and as I'm the sort of person who likes to get to gigs really early and aim for the barrier, the lack of drinking and lack of peeing usually means I'm in agony by the end of a show). But the atmosphere left a lot to be desired, nobody in my area seemed to be really getting into it all that much so I felt a bit self conscious with the woos and the claps and all that but it was cool to be able to turn up after the support band and see the band straight away.
I absolutely loved Breaking All Illusions, I wanted to hear that live more than any other song from ADTOE and it delivered, I actually thought the band seemed totally enthused and into the gig and other than LaBrie getting a shit/nonexistent response to 'so I believe we were in this city a few months back, am I right?' they seemed to be having a ball. I was a bit disappointed the encore was only one song as I was kinda half expecting Metropolis Pt 1 for some reason. Just an awesome evening, brilliant music, excellent performance, great sound... a few of the key patches were so loud they actually hurt my ears even above the rest of it but on the whole I was impressed, down at the front near the barrier usually means compromising clear sound for proximity so it was really nice to hear pitch instead of a muddy wall of sound. Been watching videos on youtube ever since and reliving it. I didn't notice any break in timing during 6:00 but did wonder if Petrucci had slipped out a bit when he was soloing during Breaking All Illusions as he seemed to be playing the right part just half a bar too late, but guessing it was intentional.
Oh and I agree with whoever mentioned BO... I had my Blackfield gig last year half-ruined by the BO of somebody who I actually went with but didn't know well enough to really say anything (nobody on here, I know a few of you met up with me that night but it was somebody else). It was so bad, every time a song came to an end I dreaded it as I knew he was gonna raise his arms and clap, so had to try and time it to take a huge breath beforehand, it definitely ruined my enjoyment and took me out of the zone as I had to focus on that, and I'm not kidding it really was bad enough to ruin a gig. I wish people were more aware of how disgusting they smell because it's really awkward for everyone else around them.
Topic: 2012-02-09 - O2 Apollo - Manchester, UK (Read 17793 times)
